Learning and development in care homes: A regional approach

AbstractThis project explored higher education learning and development in the Shropshire care home sector. The overall research question was:What are the challenges, barriers, opportunities, and successes both internally and externally which influence learning and development in Shropshire nursing and residential homes?This question was explored using a variety of methods: •. literature review (published within this issue of the journal);•. staff questionnaires (open and closed questions) to evaluate the last course attended, what courses staff would like to attend, whether staff would consider progressing to higher education and whether staff perceive any barriers to learning;•. semi-structured telephone interviews with training providers, key local authority staff, care home managers, care home staff, and family carers. All relevant data protection and ethical approvals were out in place prior to the beginning of data collection. The quantitative data from questionnaires (n = 15) were analysed using de...